YOU MAY SAY I’M A DREAMER

BBTV Round Robin – September 2017

Contributors to this story: Claire-Cosi, ChicagoTunnelKid, Wendy Mills,

JoAnn Baca, Bobbi Suny, Cindy Rae, OKGoode, and Sam Coleman

There was once a pipemaster Below

Who would keep to himself and lie low.

For a tasty treat

And hasty retreat

He would briefly seek William — and go!

Pascal played the pipes like a master musician, rapping out messages, routing them to the appropriate person, and receiving messages. He considered it a calling, a dedication beyond the norm. But … lately, a certain restlessness had grabbed hold of him. It left him perplexed.

Never one for much socializing, Pascal would show up, say hello to folks, sample a tasty treat or two, and then beat a hasty retreat back to his pipes. Others tried to convince him to stay and enjoy; he would try, and fail miserably.

He was the butt of much teasing about his bachelor status. He hadn't found his Catherine yet, so single he stayed. He saw Vincent and Catherine, and envied them. That was what he wanted for himself, although many would be surprised to hear it. But how do you find your Catherine?

Who better to ask for help than Vincent, who was the fair Catherine's love? He asked Jonathan, one of the teenagers he was training, to take over while he went to see Vincent.

Vincent was in his chambers reading. It was one of his favorite ways to pass time, and since he was currently not needed by any of his fellow Tunnel Dwellers, he was enjoying his solitude. That was, until he heard Pascal announce his arrival outside of Vincent's chambers.

"May I enter?" asked Pascal, always courteous with his Tunnel family.

"Please, come in," Vincent replied, setting down his book. He rose to embrace his friend.

Pascal seemed nervous. "I have a… a question to ask. I don't know…" His voice trailed off, as if he'd lost his nerve.

"Come. Sit," Vincent urged.  "Tell me."

With a deep breath, Pascal began. "I'm…I'm lonely, Vincent. I think the time has come to…find someone."

Vincent nodded. "You deserve someone special, my friend."

Pascal nodded nervously. "I, uh, was wondering how I go about doing that?"

Vincent smiled kindly at him. "Well, first, is there a lady that you have your eye on?"

"Well, sort of… You remember Jane, right?"

"Of course I do."

"Well, we used to write each other for a long time, and you know she and I liked each other when we were young."

"Yes, I remember."

"Well, she's coming at the end of Reunion Week, and I thought I might ask her to spend some time together, you know, just the two of us."

"Pascal, that would be a lovely idea, but you realize that Jane lives Up Top and hasn’t asked to live Below again? Would it be wise to set your heart on her?"

Pascal paused for a long moment. "Well, the last time we exchanged letters, she mentioned that she had not been…too happy Above, and if I could offer her the happiness she desires, then maybe she'll decide to come back and live Below."

"Well, Pascal, if you are willing to put your heart out there and prepare yourself for any outcome, good or bad, then I believe you should follow your heart."

"Really?"

"Yes, really, and Reunion Week would be an excellent opportunity to reconnect and perhaps see what is possible."

"Thanks, Vincent!"

*****

Every so often, the Tunnel community sent out a call to all former residents to return and re-connect. It was a chance to see what was going on with everyone, particularly with those who now lived Above. And the week’s end was a good excuse for a party!

Pascal awaited the event with trepidation. His memory of Jane was so sweet, and he had been stressed to hear that her life Above was not going as she had wished. While this made him hopeful, he also didn't want her to come back Below in failure, as if there was no other choice. And, too, memories from long ago might not hold up in the present day, either for him or for her. He sighed. This love business was tough.

He decided to get a woman's perspective, and sent a message out to Rebecca to come see him at her earliest convenience. She always talked straight with him and would give him good advice.

Rebecca heard the call from Pascal, and quickly took a look in her chamber mirror, straightening a few wayward tendrils and pinching her cheeks for a little color. Whatever could Pascal want? Could it be he would invite her to go with him to the Reunion Week party? The thought gave her hope that perhaps he was seeing her as more than a friend.

As Rebecca entered Pascal's living alcove next to the main pipe chamber, he was examining two of his tunics, turning his head to stare at first one then the other. He looked up as she said hello.

"Oh, good, you're here!" He thrust the two tunics towards her. "Which one do you think I should wear to make a good impression?"

She frowned in puzzlement. The question caught her by surprise, as it was so unlike Pascal to care much about his appearance beyond being simply presentable. "Who are you trying to impress?"

"That's what I asked you here for. Remember Jane? She's coming to the Reunion Week party, and I…well…." He blushed.

Stunned, Rebecca supplied the rest of his answer for him. "You want to…impress HER?"

Pascal nodded. "That and…well, I was hoping you could give me some pointers on what to talk about with her."

His gaze was so hopeful that Rebecca had to swallow her disappointment at this turn of events and muster up the empathy the situation required.

"Just… uh… talk about what interests you. Be yourself. And… um… ask her about what interests her." Rebecca's heart sank as she gave her good, honest advice. "That usually works," she tacked on.

"Talk about myself?" he asked. "But I'm boring!"

Not to me, she thought, but knew she couldn't say it. Especially not right now.

"Well, you can always try lying about yourself then, but I can't see what the point of that is. If she has half a brain, she'll just figure it out." The words came out a bit more sharply than Rebecca had intended.

Pascal had begun rubbing his hands over his bald skull, a nervous habit Rebecca had sometimes noticed him doing in his moments of greatest distress. But he stopped as he heard the bite in her tone and frowned at her.

"She has a brain. She was always the best of all of us at math, except maybe Vincent. You know she was. That's how she ended up such a successful accountant. That's the problem…"

"It's a problem that she's an accountant?"

"No. It's a problem that she's so smart. So… so ‘Above’. How's she going to see me as anything but that kid who could never even get beyond algebra?"

"She'll see your heart, your kindness, Pascal. So you can't solve a quadratic equation. It won't matter, if she likes you."

"I hope you are right, Rebecca. But I haven't seen her for quite a while, and the last time, it was mostly for delivering a message between her and Father." He looked suddenly deflated. "She barely looked at me, and left as soon as she got the message." He threw his tunic on the bed. "Who am I kidding? I walk in tonight and I bet she doesn't even notice me." He ran his hand over his bald head again and shrugged. "Thanks for coming, Rebecca. You're a good friend."

"So, I'm dismissed?" she asked. "So you can indulge in a pity party all by yourself?"

She advanced closer to Pascal, and he had to admit he was a little worried by it.

"Why don't you give her a reason to notice you, hmm? What if we walked in together and danced and laughed and carried on like a fun, lively couple. She'd see a whole new side to you, and maybe be jealous as well, if she likes you like you think she might."

"Ta-take you?" Pascal wondered when he had lost control of the conversation. Yet, the idea had a certain appeal.

Rebecca took her own advice, at least pretending she was feeling fun and lively instead of bereft and disappointed. She tried to look on the bright side: for this one evening, at least, she would have Pascal to herself, and she could indulge in a little wish fulfillment….before reality intervened in the form of a suddenly interested Jane. She forced a smile to her lips. "Come by my chamber at 7:00. I'll be ready!"

Smiling bashfully, Pascal nodded. "OK."

He was turning away from her when she added, "That one."

He turned back to her, a puzzled look on his face.

She pointed. "The tunic with the herringbone wool patches. It brings out the color of your eyes." She gave him a warm smile, glad to see his questioning look melt into gratitude before she left.

*****

With one last look in his mirror, Pascal wiped his hands on his trousers and took a deep breath. Perhaps tonight he would have an answer to his loneliness.

He wasn't sure about this plan that Rebecca had concocted. It seemed rather dishonest, and Pascal considered himself to be an honest man. Yet, he couldn't think of anyone else who he would be comfortable spending the evening with in order to achieve this end.

He expected to get ribbed by his friends, since Rebecca stood about a foot taller than he. Practically everyone but the children stood higher than he did. Even Jane was taller, but just by an inch or two. He accepted that it would be someone taller if he were to find a woman who could return his affections. His father used to say that the family needed the addition of some tall genes. He didn't care; he just wanted someone who wanted him.

He got to Rebecca's chamber at the appointed hour and called out, "Rebecca? Are you ready?" Hearing no answer, he debated what to do, and finally cautiously walked into the chamber. He was not prepared for what greeted him.

There stood Rebecca, admiring her gown in the reflection of the mirror. 

As Pascal came up behind her, their gazes locked in the reflected image.

Rebecca looked positively radiant. Pascal had never seen a Tunnel gown of such quality worn below, except maybe by Catherine. But it also was not quite as fancy as any he had seen her wear, either. He wondered where it had come from. It was practical, as all Tunnel clothes were, but beyond beautiful, especially on Rebecca. She looked like it belonged on no one but her. He briefly wondered if Catherine had had a hand in the choice… not that he was complaining. In fact, he felt honored and gifted beyond belief that she would go to so much effort.

Reaching out, Pascal picked up her lace shawl and shyly held it up for Rebecca to slip over her shoulders.

"Thank you," Rebecca said, not reaching for the shawl, but turning her back to him so that he could place it over her shoulders.

For a moment, Pascal wasn't quite certain why he was suddenly looking at Rebecca's back. Her rather long, very lovely back. Her height had its advantages, and the feminine, supple length of her spine was one of them. The drape of the simple fabric loved her form. Her sunny curls were swept up off her neck, and held by a simple comb, and she'd dipped her head forward, waiting for him to put her shawl over her shoulders.

Rebecca wasn’t entirely immune to wonder herself, admiring Pascal in the tunic she had selected for him to wear. Don't forget to breathe, she told herself.

*****

Rebecca and Pascal walked into the Great Hall, where the festivities were already under way. Both were nervous, and they each found themselves searching for reassurance.

Rebecca looked around and she saw Catherine, making eye contact with her. Catherine smiled at her and gave her a very subtle nod. Pascal, also searching for his own encouragement, looked over at Vincent. Vincent, too, nodded at him then cocked his head to a specific direction.

Pascal looked over in that direction and he saw Jane, looking more beautiful than he had ever realized. He wanted to rush over to her but he did not; instead, he went the opposite way with Rebecca on his arm. The two of them began to greet old friends. But as Rebecca and Pascal were greeting others, Pascal kept looking over at Jane, who by now was watching Pascal and Rebecca circle the room.

Suddenly, Jane put down her drink and started to walk towards Pascal. Pascal's heart began to race. He squeezed Rebecca's hand; she looked at him.

"Are you all right, Pascal?"

"I can't do this," he replied.

Rebecca looked over and saw Jane coming towards them. Rebecca, uncertain herself of how to handle the situation, blurted out, "Pascal, I have to tell you something!"

Rebecca's outburst startled Pascal, whose gaze wrenched from Jane's oncoming form to his companion's face. "What?!" Had he missed a message on the pipes? Was Rebecca ill? His mind spun in confusion.

Rebecca's face was flushing crimson. But Jane was mere steps from them now, and she felt strongly that the window to declare her feelings for Pascal was swiftly closing. She tried very hard to summon her courage, as Catherine had urged her to do many times before. She opened her mouth and took a breath in, and…

"Pascal!" Jane was standing in front of the couple, her eyes on Pascal.

Across the room, Catherine and Vincent were watching what was transpiring. As Jane made her descent upon Pascal and Rebecca, Vincent uttered, "Yes!" just as Catherine was uttering, "No!"

Both looked at each other.

Catherine spoke first. "What are you pleased about?"

"Jane has come to talk with Pascal. He now has the opportunity to ask her for some private time together."

"No, that can't be!"

"Why, Catherine? It's what Pascal was hoping for."

"You don't understand, Vincent. Rebecca was hoping to finally tell Pascal how she feels about him."

"Rebecca has feelings for Pascal!?"

"Yes, and she wanted to use tonight's party to confess her feelings."

"Oh, no," said Vincent, "someone's going get hurt!"

"What should we do?" replied Catherine.

Vincent took in the scene across the chamber then, looking at Catherine, said, "I don't know. I think we should let it play out."

"No! If we don't stop it, Rebecca will be crushed!"

"We can't interfere, Catherine."

"We won't interfere, we’ll just delay things long enough for me to talk to Rebecca. You go and pull Jane aside."

"And say what?" retorted Vincent.

"You'll think of something," Catherine said, pulling him by the hand.

"Pascal! Rebecca! And I don't believe I've met you." Catherine smiled warmly at Jane.

Pascal looked trapped, Rebecca looked crushed, and Jane was oblivious to it all. She extended her hand.

"I'm Jane Morgan. And you must be Catherine. I've heard so much about you, the woman behind Vincent's smile."

Catherine blushed. "Well, I don't know if I'm the only reason, but thank you."

"Morgan? I thought your last name was Beaumont?" Vincent inquired. If what this meant was what he thought it meant, one door would close, but another still remained open. He hoped it did, anyway.

"Yes, it was. I was recently married. In fact, that was what I was about to tell Pascal and Rebecca."

"Ma-married?" Pascal squeaked out.

"You're married?" Rebecca echoed, hope returning to her eyes.

"Yes. It was all a bit of a whirlwind, but when you meet your soulmate, you know." Jane blushed, feeling like a young girl in love.

"That's wonderful!" Catherine enthused. "Isn't it, Vincent?"

"Yes. I'm happy for you."

His friend Pascal echoed, "Yes, happy," with less enthusiasm.

Rebecca thought she saw Pascal literally deflate. She needed to get him away.

"Pascal, isn't it time to check on the pipes? Your new replacement may be ready to throw in the towel."

Pascal looked at Rebecca, gratefully seizing on the excuse. "Yes, yes, I'd better." He turned to Jane. "Jane, it was wonderful seeing you. Vincent, Catherine, always good to see you both. Vincent, if you'd ensure that Rebecca has a good time, I'd appreciate it."

"No need, Pascal. I'm going with you!' Rebecca hurried after the retreating Pascal.

Jane smiled at Vincent and Catherine and turned to other old friends.

"Poor Pascal, he's going to be so heartbroken," said Vincent.

"Not if Rebecca has anything to do with it," replied Catherine.

Vincent just looked at her.

"Never underestimate the power of a woman's love," smiled Catherine.

*****

Pascal was a bit shell-shocked as he left the Reunion Week gathering. His dreams of a relationship with Jane were suddenly punctured, exploding like a popped party balloon. He didn't hear Rebecca's plea to wait for her as he hurried down the tunnelways, trying to put as much distance as possible, as quickly as possible, between himself and the scene of his despair.

She was married. He had waited much too long to decide to let her know how fondly he had been thinking of her. Was that his lot in life…to always miss his chance?

Rebecca, a bit out of breath, finally caught up to him.

It startled him to see Rebecca from the corner of his eye as she suddenly appeared, as if miraculously.

"Pascal…wait, please. I need to say something to you." She gulped in air and bent to rest her hands on her thighs, knowing that the pounding of her heart was not due solely to her recent exertion.

"It's okay, Rebecca," Pascal replied, placing a hand on her shoulder to steady her. "You don't have to say anything. I think I pretty much already know the score."

Rebecca raised her fair head at that one. "You do?" she asked, still gulping in air.

"Yeah. I guess it was pretty obvious. Even before tonight."

Rebecca gulped. She'd been obvious? So… he'd known of her feelings, and just… what? Ignored them? Tried to spare her any embarrassment? Was that what he meant?

"So, you mean…" She let the sentence trail.

"I was always destined to be alone," Pascal finished for her.

It was on this last pronouncement that Vincent came down the passageway, with Catherine in tow. He'd clearly been hurrying, and his love was breathlessly keeping up with his longer stride.

"Catherine, if you will attend Pascal, I think I need to have a word with Rebecca," he instructed.

*****

After some quiet conversation, Pascal and Catherine approached Vincent and Rebecca.

"Pascal, are you okay?" asked Rebecca.

Pascal took in a deep breath; he looked at Catherine then over at Rebecca then he replied, "Yes, Rebecca, I think that I am, and I apologize for ruining your evening. If it's okay with you, I would love to accompany you back to the party."

Pascal nervously waited for a reply.

Rebecca glanced at both Vincent and Catherine then she looked at Pascal and said, "Of course you can accompany me back to the party. I'm just glad that you're feeling well enough to want to go back. I was concerned."

"I'm fine," he extended him arm, "shall we?"

Rebecca giggled. "We shall," and she interlocked her arm with his and off they went.

Vincent and Catherine smiled at each other, then Vincent leaned forward and said to her, "May I accompany you back to the party?"

"You may," she replied, and off they went, arm in arm.

*****

The dancing, the companionship, the food, the conversation…everything about the evening filled Catherine with delight. The chance to glide around the dance floor in the arms of the man she adored was precious, and she savored every moment.

From time to time she remembered to look for Pascal or Rebecca, and nearly every time she did she found them together, sitting quietly playing chess, or dancing in a corner of the vast chamber. As the evening wore on, Pascal's shoulders rode a bit higher, reflecting his growing relaxation.

Jane had left the party early, after confiding to Vincent that her early weeks of pregnancy were making her crave sleep more and more. Catherine was happy for the woman…and also grateful that she was gone, and no longer either a distraction or a reminder for Pascal.

Vincent returned to her side with a cup of punch. "I walked past Rebecca and Pascal just now, and they were so deep in conversation, they didn't acknowledge my greeting. They may not even have realized I was there."

Catherine smiled. "I'm so glad!"

He tilted his head, confiding, "It reminds me of us, much of the time."

A chuckle from Catherine reflected her agreement.

"Shall we take a walk?" Vincent inquired. "The falls have a special beauty in the moonlight, and your beauty would only add to the loveliness."

"With such a gallant invitation, how could I resist?" Catherine smiled. "Although I'd really like to see how our matchmaking turns out!"

As Vincent led her away, he acknowledged, "I think Pascal can take it from here."

They walked out of the Great Hall and began climbing the stairs. "I hope we have not meddled too much. I suspect she likes him a bit more, perhaps a lot more, than he likes her."

"I think you'd be surprised, as is Pascal." Catherine paused, thinking about her talk with Pascal. "My guess is that Pascal has thought of everyone Below as friends and acquaintances for so long that, when I asked him to identify someone he holds in high regard, Rebecca was the first name he mentioned."

"So he didn't realize that Rebecca meant more to him than just a friend?"

"I still don't know if he truly thinks of her that way. I just asked him to keep an open mind and spend some time with her to find out for himself."  She chuckled. "He didn't take too much convincing."

Vincent stopped, as they had reached the falls. It truly was a beautiful sight on a moonlit night. He held her in front of him, both facing the falls. Indeed, it was a pose reminiscent of Kristopher's portrait.

"Breathtaking," Catherine whispered.

"You always take my breath away." Vincent kissed the top of her head.

Both gave a last fleeting thought about Pascal and Rebecca before losing themselves in their embrace.

*****

The party was winding down and folks were heading off to their chambers or houses Above. Pascal was astounded to be one of the last enjoying the party, and even more astounded to realize he had been having fun. No pipes were involved, no codes to decipher… well, maybe the codes between women and men. He suspected - no, he knew - that Rebecca had flirted with him this evening.

They had returned to the party, and Pascal had nervously glanced about but did not see Jane. He felt relieved, and then puzzlement that he did. But all that had left his mind as he had enjoyed their evening together.

With the Great Hall nearly deserted, Rebecca steered them toward food and drink, and then to a table in the back. "How are you doing, Pascal?" she asked. "I saw you check the room for Jane." Her fork toyed with the piece of cake on her plate. "I know how it feels when someone you like doesn't like you back, at least, not in the same way."

Pascal saw the sadness in her eyes, and knew she understood. He wondered if it was someone Above, maybe part of the reason she came Below. One thing he was good at, whether the friend was male or female, was listening.

He tilted his head and looked up at her. "Tell me about it?" he asked in invitation.

Rebecca hesitated then she began to tell Pascal her story.

"When I was Above, I was in love with this guy who I thought loved me back. We were together for two years and we were planning a life together. We had bought a house together, he asked me to marry him. Everything was wonderful. I had spent the last year planning our wedding. I had put everything I had into it. I planned the most beautiful wedding, and Ethan, that was his name, he was planning the honeymoon. We were going to Australia. I had always wanted to see the Great Barrier Reef, you know."

Pascal nodded his head in understanding. "So, what happened, it didn't work out and you got a divorce?" asked Pascal.

"Not exactly. We never got married. On the day of our wedding, Ethan's grandfather gave Ethan his inheritance, which I thought was a wonderful gesture, but when the ceremony was to start, Ethan was nowhere around. He was gone; he left me there in the church."

Rebecca started to get upset. Pascal grabbed her hands. "You don't have to finish if it's too hard."

"No, it's okay, I want to." Rebecca composed herself. "I'm okay, really. I've been over it for a long time. Anyway, it turned out that unless Ethan got married, he would not receive his inheritance, so his whole relationship with me was just a means to an end. His family liked me and approved of our relationship, which is why his grandfather gave him his inheritance before the nuptials. He believed that Ethan loved me, too, and would certainly get married. So Ethan got what he wanted and he didn't need to go through with the wedding. Do you know what the worst part was?"

Pascal shook his head no.

Rebecca continued, "He took the house. We had the house in his name because he was from an affluent family with money and outstanding credit. I was left with nothing. I had put everything I had into the house and the wedding. I was broke and homeless. I couldn't even afford a lawyer."

"What about his family, couldn't they have helped you?"

Rebecca just looked at Pascal. "I thought so but…" Rebecca's eyes filled with tears. "He told them I cheated on him. He said horrible things about me, and they believed him. I suppose they needed to believe him, because otherwise they would have had to admit what a cold-hearted, manipulative person he was. And they wanted to save face. So…"

She sighed and wiped the tears from her face. Then she stood tall as she finished, "So I came back home…to the Tunnels…where everyone loves me for who I am. The New York newspapers didn't carry news about weddings in Philadelphia, so nobody Below ever knew more than that I had moved away, had planned to get married, and that it hadn't worked out…and I only ever told Father and Mary even that."

Pascal patted her shoulder, awkward about her emotional revelation. "I never knew," he said. "You left…were gone…and came home again. You seemed like the same Rebecca who left, so I never thought to ask about your time away."

She nodded. "I couldn't bear to tell anyone how horrible my life had turned out Above. Please, don't tell anyone else."

"Your confidence is safe with me," Pascal promised. "I would never tell."

Rebecca collected herself. She was surprised she had shared her story, for every time she even thought about it, she felt about two inches high. Her confidence with men was at the same level. Yet with Pascal, she never felt threatened; he said what he meant, and he treated everyone with kindness. But her flirting skills had rusted and, in desperation, she had wanted to just unload her affection for him; she knew now that was the wrong tack to take. She was grateful for Vincent's intervention.

"Enough about me. What about you? How had Jane and you connected, only for her to go Above and marry someone else?"

She saw Pascal's crestfallen face, and thought better of it."Never mind, Pascal. It's none of my business, and too soon, probably, for you to even want to talk about it."

"Actually, there's nothing to tell." He sighed. "You've probably noticed I pretty much keep to my pipes."

She nodded. "I'm always happy to see you join in when you do. You seem so cut off from people, sometimes."

"I am." Pascal nodded. "And I'm finally feeling how cut off from everyone I am. I guess I'm feeling lonely." He paused, collecting thoughts and his nerve to continue. "I see Vincent and Catherine, and I envy them so much! I want that, too, for myself!"

"I know what you mean. Seeing those two really shows a person how love can be with the right person."

"Do you think we'll ever find someone, Rebecca?" Pascal looked at her with hope in his eyes.

"I hope so, Pascal. But I think we both have to change our habits, our patterns, if it's going to happen."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you need to leave your pipes more and socialize with people." He nodded as she went on. "And I need to believe I'm worth loving." She fussed with her skirt pocket. "I think you've got the easier job, Pascal."

"You are definitely worthy of love, Rebecca. Why, I've considered you the most desirable and eligible of all the women Below. I've wondered why you were still free. Now I understand."

"Thank you. Desirable, huh? Well, that's a new one!"

Shyly, Pascal spoke up. "You're desirable to me."

"I am?"

He nodded. "I just thought you'd never be interested in me, my being short and all. I've never lived Above. Don't really care to. What you see is what you get." He shrugged.

"The size of your heart is one of the largest, Pascal. Height doesn't matter. Many of the women Below wonder why you haven't looked twice at any of them."

"What about you, Rebecca? Have you ever wondered?"

"Yes."

"Well," he took a deep breath, "wonder no more. Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow evening?"

She smiled - no, she beamed at him. "I would love to. See you at 7:00?"

"Seven," he confirmed, smiling happily back. "Until then."

They left the Great Hall and together walked back to the Hub, tired and happy, all talked out. Each turned to their respective tunnels, pondering on the next evening.

*****

The next morning at breakfast, Pascal had a lift in his step that was so noticeable even Father commented on it.

"Perhaps he won the lottery, Father," Vincent remarked wryly in response.

"No need to be sarcastic, my boy," Father grumbled. But he had a twinkle in his eye as he said it. Father, Vincent knew, had had a remarkably enjoyable evening himself, having danced every waltz with Mary.

Later that morning, as Vincent passed the chandlery, he heard Rebecca singing. She had a lovely voice, but to say he had heard her sing anything other than carols at Christmastime would be a lie.

Apparently, the "interventions" he and Catherine had effected last night had had good results.

*****

That evening, when Catherine came Below, Vincent described what he had observed. Catherine laughed in delight. "We can add 'matchmaker' to our list of skills!"

"We shouldn't take all the credit, Catherine. I suspect Rebecca and Pascal had much to do with their own improved moods."

She nodded, sobering slightly. "True. Well, whatever happened, I'm glad it did. Those two have been alone - and lonely - for far too long."

"As I was for years…before I found you," he murmured, enveloping her in a warm embrace. His blue eyes glimmered in the candlelight as he gazed lovingly at her.

Catherine sighed. "And I was lonely without even realizing it…until you found me." She laid her cheek on his broad chest, melting into his arms, and pulling him closer still.

Just then a sound from outside his chamber disturbed their intimate moment.

Mouse burst into the chamber, his cap askew. He saw the couple, said "Oops!" and turned around and went out, only to announce himself: "Vincent! Something important!" and come back in. Catherine looked at Vincent, and he at her, and they both laughed.

"What is so important, Mouse?" Vincent inquired.

"Big commotion. Helper brought Jane. She's bad, Vincent. Face messed up."

"What?" Catherine gasped. "She was just here last night and was fine. What happened?"

"Soulmate," Mouse explained. "Not so good after all."

"Does Pascal know?" Vincent asked Mouse.

"No. Father said, 'Get Vincent.' I come get Vincent." He shrugged.

Vincent turned to Catherine. "I'm sure she's been taken to the hospital chamber. I'll see to Pascal, if you go see Rebecca." He touched Catherine's arm as he said, "They both need to know, in case this changes what happens between them."

"I go tell Father you are on the way." Mouse left as quickly as he had come.

With a sad look passing between them, Vincent and Catherine started out on their errands.

*****

When Vincent told Pascal what had happened, the pipemaster ran from the pipe chamber. Vincent knew Pascal was headed for the hospital chamber…to Jane.

Catherine's news hit Rebecca hard, as well. Tears filled her eyes, and she only nodded dumbly when Catherine asked if she wanted to be alone.

*****

"Father, how is she?" Pascal barely managed the words between gulps of air. He had run all the way.

The Tunnel doctor was rinsing his hands, having just concluded his examination. He frowned at Pascal as he dried off. "Quiet, please. She's trying to rest." He nodded his head toward the chamber entrance, and they both exited. As he took off his lab coat, Father remarked, "I really shouldn't be telling you anything, Pascal. You're not her family, and she hasn't given me permission to…."

Pascal cut him off. "Vincent knows. Mouse knows. Why can't I?"

Sighing, Father admitted, "I suppose you're right. There's little privacy in these tunnels." He shrugged. "She tells me her husband beat her for losing her job. Her wounds are consistent with that explanation. She ran out once he fell asleep, to Margot's. You know her, one of the Helpers in the Bronx. Margot brought her Below."

"Can I see her?"

"Later," Father advised. "Let her rest now."

Rebecca arrived at the hospital chamber entrance just as Father was telling Pascal to come back in a few hours. Pascal turned to look at her, upset and frustrated. "Jane was beaten," he blurted out.

She nodded. "Catherine told me there was an emergency with Jane. Can I do anything for you?"

He gazed at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"Would … would you wait with me, Rebecca?" He said it and wondered if he had said it as a test of their friendship-on-it's-way-to-something-else. Uncertainty made him backtrack. "Never mind. You have better things to do."

"Than what? Wait with a friend to find out how another friend is doing?" Rebecca asked. "I didn't get to know her as well as you, but I care about her, and I care about you. Waiting alone is hard. I've done it enough to know." She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the dining chamber.

They settled into chairs, and William brought out some tea and biscuits. The word had spread, and everyone knew Jane and thought well of her. They would give her space and time, letting her share what she wanted to share, and respect her right to privacy for what she didn't want to share.

They sipped their tea in companionable silence.

"So, is this our first date?" Pascal asked, trying, and failing, to inject humor into it.

"I think we'd better suspend the dating thing until we know what is going to happen with Jane."

"Why?" Pascal was perplexed.

"Because I know how much you like her, and she may need you and your friendship more than ever." Rebecca took a swallow of tea then looked at Pascal. "All I want is for you to be happy, Pascal, to be alive and not alone. If your happiness is with Jane, so be it."

Pascal placed his right hand on her arm and held her hand with his left hand.

"Rebecca, I'm concerned because we were, or we are, very close friends. But I've thought about things a lot, and I've come to realize that a deep friendship, like sister and brother, is what we had. But it's you I want to see socially; it's you I think about now in a totally non-friend way."

"You do?" she asked, smiling.

"I do." Pascal returned the smile.

"How about a game of gin rummy while we wait?"

They had just gotten started when they were interrupted.

Mary walked into the dining chamber. "Pascal, against Father's advice, Jane is asking to see you."

"She is?" responded Pascal.

"Yes, and Father asked me to ask you to keep it short. She really needs to rest."

"Rebecca, will you excuse me for a moment?"

"Sure, Pascal, you go ahead," replied Rebecca.

As Pascal began to leave the dining area, he turned back and looked at Rebecca. "Will you wait here? I'd like to finish our game."

"I’ll take the cards back to my chamber and wait there, if that’s okay,” said Rebecca.

Pascal gave her a subtle smile. "Yes, I would like that."

*****

Pascal very quietly walked into the hospital chamber and neared Jane’s bed. "Jane, it's me, Pascal. I was told you wanted to see me."

Jane looked over at Pascal, tears welling up in her eyes. Barely audibly, Jane replied, "Yes, please sit down."

Pascal took a seat next to her. As he looked at her injuries, his heart broke for her, but it also stirred up such anger in him - anger he had never really felt before. He thought to himself, How can anyone do this to someone they claim to love?

"Is there something you need from me?"

Jane reached out for his hand, and he took it in his.

"Pascal, there was a time when I'd hoped that someday, maybe, well, maybe you'd look at me as someone other than just a friend. But when that didn't happen, I realized I needed to find my own way, my own person to love."

She winced as she shifted positions. Pascal jumped up to help her find a more comfortable position.

"When I met Henry, our connection was immediate. It blinded me to seeing the whole man, his values, his beliefs." She took a moment. "I had compared every man I dated to you, Pascal, and they would always come up short. But this time, I overlooked all that because there was such chemistry between us."

She looked at him directly. "But it is those values, those similar beliefs that make a relationship. That tell you what kind of person the other is. I know that it's too late for us to be anything but friends, but I do need a friend right now, and I hope you find it in your heart to be that friend."

"I'll always be your friend, Jane. And I'll do whatever I can to help." Looking at Jane so vulnerable, lying in bed, battered and bruised, pregnant and alone, he realized that what he felt for her was friendship, not love. He felt protective of her, as he had always been when they were children. Had he known her feelings when they were younger… and had he sorted out his own feelings back then… things might have been different. Yet, he suspected not, that they were always meant to be just friends.

"Are you moving back Below?" he asked.

She nodded. "Catherine is going to help me get out of the marriage. She's hoping the beating he gave me will help with that and allow me to get custody of the child. If all that can happen, I'll move back permanently. I'm staying temporarily until the law can deal with him on the assault. I never told him about Below, of course, so it's still a place of safety for me."

"Always a place of safety," echoed Father as he came into the chamber. "And now, young lady," he said with a wink, "it's time for you to rest."

Pascal stood, still holding her hand. He gave it a squeeze. "I'll be back to visit."

"Thank you, my friend. And Rebecca is one lucky woman!" she teased.

Pascal blushed and left. It seemed everything was falling into place, turning out okay. He went to see Rebecca to tell her the news.

*****

Pascal stopped outside Rebecca's chamber to announce his visit."Rebecca? May I come in?"

Rebecca's uncertainty came back in a rush. Still, it was Pascal. She should trust that he wouldn't toss away her affections lightly. "Come in!"

Pascal entered and stood awkwardly in front of Rebecca. He so wished he was smooth like the fellows he had seen in the few movies he had watched. He could only imagine what Rebecca was thinking. He wasn't so sure what to say to her. After all, they had only shared a few confidences and had barely begun to think of themselves as a couple. But for him, these new feelings meant so much.

"Rebecca, I…ah…you and…ah…” His face reddened as he spoke. Desperate men do desperate things in desperate times. Pascal figured this was as desperate for him as it got.

He placed his hands on her upper arms, pulled her to him, and kissed her.

Rebecca's eyes still were closed when he put some space between them. They slowly opened and looked softly at him. "Does this mean you and I are still seeing each other socially?" she asked.

"Yes," he cleared his throat, "yes, and I just wanted to reassure you that Jane understands that all she and I can ever be is friends."

The two of them smiled at each other until, finally, Rebecca threw herself into Pascal's arms. After what seemed like forever and yet not long enough, the couple broke apart.

"Dinner tomorrow?" Pascal asked. A page had turned on his life story.

"See you then." Rebecca smiled. Her future seemed brighter than ever.

The pipemaster and the chandler, together at last.

The End